World in Focus

February 2, 2013 9:40 PM

Photo: Dmitry Lovetsky/Associated Press

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Russian soldiers march by the monument to Motherland during ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad in the southern Russian city of Volgograd, once known as Stalingrad, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. Russia celebrates the 70th anniversary of the end of one of modern warfare's bloodiest battles that was turning point in World War II and led to the defeat of the Nazi Germany. less

Russian soldiers march by the monument to Motherland during ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad in the southern Russian city of Volgograd, once known as Stalingrad, Saturday, ... more

Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko, Associated Press

Russian soldiers march by the monument to Motherland during... Photo-4130001.56177 - SFGate

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Police forensics search for missing New York City woman Sarai Sierra near the remnants of some ancient city walls in low-income district of Sarayburnu in Istanbul, Turkey, late Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. Turkey's state-run news agency said that she has been found dead in Istanbul and police have detained nine people in connection with the case. Sierra, a 33-year-old mother of two, went missing while vacationing alone in Istanbul. Her body was discovered late Saturday amid the city walls. less

Police forensics search for missing New York City woman Sarai Sierra near the remnants of some ancient city walls in low-income district of Sarayburnu in Istanbul, Turkey, late Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. Turkey's ... more

Photo: Associated Press

Police forensics search for missing New York City woman Sarai... Photo-4130000.56177 - SFGate

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People carry a Turkish flag-covered coffin of Mustafa Akarsu, an embassy security guard killed when a suicide bomber struck the American Embassy in Turkish capital on Friday, during his funeral in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. The White House described the killing as a terrorist attack and Washington immediately warned Americans to stay away from all U.S. diplomatic facilities in Turkey and to be wary in large crowds. less

People carry a Turkish flag-covered coffin of Mustafa Akarsu, an embassy security guard killed when a suicide bomber struck the American Embassy in Turkish capital on Friday, during his funeral in Ankara, ... more

Palestinian protesters resist arrest by Israeli soldiers as they forcefully remove demonstrators from a new camp set up to protest against Jewish settlements near the West Bank village of Burin on February 2, 2013. An AFP correspondent said the Israeli army used tear gas and violence to remove hundreds of people who had set up four temporary huts and three tents near Burin, south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank. less

Palestinian protesters resist arrest by Israeli soldiers as they forcefully remove demonstrators from a new camp set up to protest against Jewish settlements near the West Bank village of Burin on February 2, ... more

A Tiger helicopter lands at the Mopti airport, in Sevare, on February 2, 2013. President Francois Hollande visits Mali today as French-led troops work to secure the last Islamist stronghold in the north after a lightning offensive against the extremists. less

A Tiger helicopter lands at the Mopti airport, in Sevare, on February 2, 2013. President Francois Hollande visits Mali today as French-led troops work to secure the last Islamist stronghold in the north after a ... more

"Kindness is almost love," block party members and faithful carry a boat filled with flowers as an offering to the sea goddess Yemanja, during a pre-Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. Worshippers honor the deity, offering flowers and launching boats, large and small, into the ocean showing their gratitude for her blessings bestowed upon them. ( less

"Kindness is almost love," block party members and faithful carry a boat filled with flowers as an offering to the sea goddess Yemanja, during a pre-Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, ... more

Photo: Silvia Izquierdo, Associated Press

"Kindness is almost love," block party members and... Photo-4130018.56177 - SFGate

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The dragon dance is performed during the Chinese lunar new year celebrations at Liberdade district in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 2, 2013. The Chinese lunar New Year's day will be February 10 as the year of snake in Chinese zodiac calendar. less

The dragon dance is performed during the Chinese lunar new year celebrations at Liberdade district in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 2, 2013. The Chinese lunar New Year's day will be February 10 as the year of ... more

Photo: Yasuyoshi Chiba, AFP/Getty Images

The dragon dance is performed during the Chinese lunar new year... Photo-4130014.56177 - SFGate

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Taylor Fletcher of the USA makes his jump during the Large Hill Individual Gundersen event in snowfall at the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Sochi, Russia, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013.

Taylor Fletcher of the USA makes his jump during the Large Hill Individual Gundersen event in snowfall at the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Sochi, Russia, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013.

Photo: Dmitry Lovetsky, Associated Press

Taylor Fletcher of the USA makes his jump during the Large Hill... Photo-4130011.56177 - SFGate

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A young "kukeri" dancer carries her mask as she performs during the 22nd edition of the International Festival of Masquerade Games "Surva" in the town of Pernik, Bulgaria Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. Some 5000 participants take part in the festival devoted to an ancient Bulgarian pagan rite performed in the region. less

A young "kukeri" dancer carries her mask as she performs during the 22nd edition of the International Festival of Masquerade Games "Surva" in the town of Pernik, Bulgaria Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. Some 5000 ... more

Photo: Valentina Petrova, Associated Press

A young "kukeri" dancer carries her mask as she performs... Photo-4130007.56177 - SFGate

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A man shields himself from flying pigeons as he waits with thousands of mourners outside the Royal Palace before being allowed to enter the cremation site to pay final respects to former King Norodom Sihanouk on February 2, 2013 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The former kings coffin was transported to the cremation site yesterday after being paraded through the capital in a lavish funeral procession. The cremation will take place on Monday the 4th of February, the funeral pyre will be lit by his wife and son King Norodom Sihamoni. less

A man shields himself from flying pigeons as he waits with thousands of mourners outside the Royal Palace before being allowed to enter the cremation site to pay final respects to former King Norodom Sihanouk ... more

Photo: Chris McGrath, Getty Images

A man shields himself from flying pigeons as he waits with... Photo-4130004.56177 - SFGate

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Confetti rains down on a group of revelers at the Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party, a pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. According to Rio's tourism office, Rio's street Carnival this year will consist of 492 block parties, attended by an estimated five million Carnival enthusiasts. less

Confetti rains down on a group of revelers at the Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party, a pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. According to ... more

Photo: Silvia Izquierdo, Associated Press

Confetti rains down on a group of revelers at the Simpatia e Quase... Photo-4130006.56177 - SFGate

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Italian's Sara Barattin grabs the ball during the Six Nations women Rugby Union match between Italy and France on February 2, 2013 at the Pagani stadium in Rovato near Brescia.

Italian's Sara Barattin grabs the ball during the Six Nations women Rugby Union match between Italy and France on February 2, 2013 at the Pagani stadium in Rovato near Brescia.

Photo: Giuseppe Cacace, AFP/Getty Images

Italian's Sara Barattin grabs the ball during the Six Nations... Photo-4130012.56177 - SFGate

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Open water swimmer Rebecca Jarre, dressed as a smurf, braves the chilly temperatures during The Big Chill open swimming event in Lake Windermere on February 2, 2013 in Windermere, England. The Big Chill swimmers plunged into Lake Windermere, where the water temperature was an average of four degrees celsius, for a series of events including relays, endurance and fun swims. less

Open water swimmer Rebecca Jarre, dressed as a smurf, braves the chilly temperatures during The Big Chill open swimming event in Lake Windermere on February 2, 2013 in Windermere, England. The Big Chill ... more

John Verheul and his son Xavier walk through a tunnel of 1,300 lanterns on display at Winterlude festival in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. The lantern garden commemorates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and South Korea. less

John Verheul and his son Xavier walk through a tunnel of 1,300 lanterns on display at Winterlude festival in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. The lantern garden commemorates the 50th anniversary of ... more

Photo: Fred Chartrand, Associated Press

John Verheul and his son Xavier walk through a tunnel of 1,300... Photo-4130008.56177 - SFGate

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A man sweeps the red carpet before the arrival of France's President and Mali's interim President at the Mopti airport, in Sevare, on February 2, 2013. President Francois Hollande visits today Mali as French-led troops work to secure the last Islamist stronghold in the north after a lightning offensive against the extremists. less

A man sweeps the red carpet before the arrival of France's President and Mali's interim President at the Mopti airport, in Sevare, on February 2, 2013. President Francois Hollande visits today Mali as ... more

Photo: Pascal Guyot, AFP/Getty Images

A man sweeps the red carpet before the arrival of France's... Photo-4130015.56177 - SFGate